Project No 10 the Insect Mustard Oil Bomb

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Project No 10 the Insect Mustard Oil Bomb Project no 10 The insect mustard oil bomb: a chemical weapon against predators and pathogens? Supervisors: Dr. Franziska Beran Research Group Detoxification and Sequestration in Insects, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Dr. Hannah Rowland Research Group Predators and Prey, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology Background: Plants and animals are well-known to use chemical weapons to defend themselves against enemies. When this chemical defence is produced by the organism itself, a major challenge is to store the toxin safely, but ready for action when needed. Plants have solved this problem by developing two-component defence systems (1). The best studied example is the so-called 'mustard- oil bomb' in crucifers, where high amounts of non-toxic mustard-oil glucosides (glucosinolates) are stored in all plant tissues but separately from a specific β-thioglucosidase enzyme known as myrosinase (2). When the plant tissue is damaged by herbivore feeding, mustard oil glucosides are rapidly degraded to toxic mustard oils (isothiocyanates). These are responsible for the sharp taste of mustard and wasabi. Due to their high reactivity, mustard oils have broad activity against bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and small herbivores. We have previously shown that Phyllotreta flea beetles emit toxic mustard-oils, and that this emission is independent from mustard-oil glucosides in the current food plant (3). We discovered that Phyllotreta beetles accumulate and store mustard-oil glucosides in their body up to a level of 2% of their body weight. The beetles also produce their own myrosinase enzyme (4). Furthermore, recent results revealed that all life stages of Phyllotreta contain mustard oil glucosides, and that high myrosinase activity is present in both larvae and adults. These results strongly suggest a defensive role of the mustard oil bomb for the beetles, but the costs and benefits of this strategy are unknown. Project description: The goal of the project is to elucidate the roles of sequestered mustard-oil glucosides and mustard oils in Phyllotreta flea beetles in defense against entomopathogenic bacteria, fungi, and nematodes, as well as arthropod and bird predators. Therefore, you will analyze how the insect mustard-oil bomb is organized and controlled to prevent self-intoxication in larvae and adults. To assess the ecological function, you will manipulate the levels of mustard-oil glucosides and myrosinase activity in Phyllotreta by RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9, and compare the performance and fitness of insects with functional and suppressed chemical defense. You will perform assays with different guilds of beetle ‘enemies’ to assay the effectiveness of their defensive phenotype in deterring predatory attack, and inducing predator avoidance learning, including their colour, behaviour, and chemical defence. Candidate profile: We are searching for a highly motivated student with a scientific and curiosity- driven attitude and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research combining molecular biology, chemistry, and ecology. Excellent communication skills and proficiency in written and spoken English is required. References 1. A. V. Morant et al., beta-glucosidases as detonators of plant chemical defense. Phytochemistry 69, 1795 (Jun, 2008). 2. B. A. Halkier, J. Gershenzon, Biology and biochemistry of glucosinolates. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 57, 303 (2006). 3. F. Beran et al., Male Phyllotreta striolata (F.) produce an aggregation pheromone: identification of male-specific compounds and interaction with host plant volatiles. J. Chem. Ecol. 37, (2011). 4. F. Beran et al., Phyllotreta striolata flea beetles use host plant defense compounds to create their own glucosinolate-myrosinase system. P Natl Acad Sci USA 111, 7349 (May 20, 2014). .
Recommended publications
  • Bioavailability of Sulforaphane from Two Broccoli Sprout Beverages: Results of a Short-Term, Cross-Over Clinical Trial in Qidong, China
    Cancer Prevention Research Article Research Bioavailability of Sulforaphane from Two Broccoli Sprout Beverages: Results of a Short-term, Cross-over Clinical Trial in Qidong, China Patricia A. Egner1, Jian Guo Chen2, Jin Bing Wang2, Yan Wu2, Yan Sun2, Jian Hua Lu2, Jian Zhu2, Yong Hui Zhang2, Yong Sheng Chen2, Marlin D. Friesen1, Lisa P. Jacobson3, Alvaro Muñoz3, Derek Ng3, Geng Sun Qian2, Yuan Rong Zhu2, Tao Yang Chen2, Nigel P. Botting4, Qingzhi Zhang4, Jed W. Fahey5, Paul Talalay5, John D Groopman1, and Thomas W. Kensler1,5,6 Abstract One of several challenges in design of clinical chemoprevention trials is the selection of the dose, formulation, and dose schedule of the intervention agent. Therefore, a cross-over clinical trial was undertaken to compare the bioavailability and tolerability of sulforaphane from two of broccoli sprout–derived beverages: one glucoraphanin-rich (GRR) and the other sulforaphane-rich (SFR). Sulfor- aphane was generated from glucoraphanin contained in GRR by gut microflora or formed by treatment of GRR with myrosinase from daikon (Raphanus sativus) sprouts to provide SFR. Fifty healthy, eligible participants were requested to refrain from crucifer consumption and randomized into two treatment arms. The study design was as follows: 5-day run-in period, 7-day administration of beverages, 5-day washout period, and 7-day administration of the opposite intervention. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry was used to measure levels of glucoraphanin, sulforaphane, and sulforaphane thiol conjugates in urine samples collected daily throughout the study. Bioavailability, as measured by urinary excretion of sulforaphane and its metabolites (in approximately 12-hour collections after dosing), was substantially greater with the SFR (mean ¼ 70%) than with GRR (mean ¼ 5%) beverages.
    [Show full text]
  • Critical Evaluation of Gene Expression Changes in Human Tissues In
    Review Critical Evaluation of Gene Expression Changes in Human Tissues in Response to Supplementation with Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Moving Towards Better-Quality Studies Biljana Pokimica 1 and María-Teresa García-Conesa 2,* 1 Center of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia; [email protected] 2 Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Campus de Espinardo, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEBAS-CSIC), P.O. Box 164, 30100 Murcia, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-968-396276 Received: 4 June 2018; Accepted: 19 June 2018; Published: 22 June 2018 Abstract: Pre-clinical cell and animal nutrigenomic studies have long suggested the modulation of the transcription of multiple gene targets in cells and tissues as a potential molecular mechanism of action underlying the beneficial effects attributed to plant-derived bioactive compounds. To try to demonstrate these molecular effects in humans, a considerable number of clinical trials have now explored the changes in the expression levels of selected genes in various human cell and tissue samples following intervention with different dietary sources of bioactive compounds. In this review, we have compiled a total of 75 human studies exploring gene expression changes using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). We have critically appraised the study design and methodology used as well as the gene expression results reported. We herein pinpoint some of the main drawbacks and gaps in the experimental strategies applied, as well as the high interindividual variability of the results and the limited evidence supporting some of the investigated genes as potential responsive targets.
    [Show full text]
  • Indole Carbinol: a Glucosinolate Derivative from Cruciferous
    Research Indole-3-carbinol: A glucosinolate derivative from cruciferous vegetables for prevention and complementary treatment of breast cancer Ben L. Pfeifer1, Theodor Fahrendorf2 Summary spect seem to be secondary plant sub- stances from cruciferous vegetables, Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women today. Despite such as indole 3-carbinol (I3C). This is a improved therapies, only every second woman with breast cancer can ex- glucosinolate derivative containing sul- pect cure. If cancer is metastatic at diagnosis, or recurs with metastases, phur whose metabolic products are then treatment is limited to palliative measures only, and cure is usually not widely known for their anti-cancer expected. Under these circumstances, quality of life as well as overall surviv- effects [34-36, 44, 46]. Detailed studies al of the patient is significantly reduced. It is therefore advisable for pa- have been carried out regarding their tients, their physicians, and the entire society at large, to search for more preventive and therapeutic effectiveness effective and less toxic treatment methods and develop better prevention in treating breast cancer and other types strategies that can reduce the burden of this cancer on the individual pa- tient and society as a whole. Indole-3-carbinol, a glucosinolate derivative of cancer [7, 12, 18, 30, 62, 79]. Labora- from cruciferous vegetables, seems to be a strong candidate to achieve tory tests on cell cultures and animal ex- these goals. It is abundantly available, well tolerated and non-toxic. Suffi- periments showed that I3C prevents the cient amounts for prevention of breast cancer can be taken up by daily con- development of cancer in various organs sumption of cruciferous vegetables.
    [Show full text]
  • Anthocyanin and Glucosinolate Nutrients
    ANTHOCYANIN AND GLUCOSINOLATE NUTRIENTS: AN EXPLORATION OF THE MOLECULAR BASIS AND IMPACT OF COLORFUL PHYTOCHEMICALS ON HUMAN HEALTH Abstract: Can eating food of an assortment of colors help one stay healthy? In this study, a randomized con- trolled trial helped evaluate the impact of a colorful diet on 8 healthy human adults (age 20-60) with similar demographic and dietary backgrounds. One of the daily meals of the volunteers was substituted with a hand- picked ration consisting of all colors of the rainbow in the form of a Rainbow Diet Pack (RDP). Fruits and vegeta- bles were chosen based on the exclusive molecular structure and chemical composition of the most prevalent phytonutrient(s) in each. RDP was administered daily to the intervention group (n=5) over a 10-wk interven- tion period. Weight loss, waist circumference, hand grip strength, and stress levels were measured. Analyses re- vealed that eating raspberries, oranges, carrots, broccoli, blueberries, and bananas balanced stress levels and led to weight loss, but did not impact hand-grip strength, demonstrating the healthy outcomes of a colorful diet.. BY AKSHARA SREE CHALLA1 AND JNANA ADITYA CHALLA2 LAYOUT OUT BY ANNALISE KAMEGAWA, EDNA STEWART, CAMERON MANDLEY, JENNY KIM INTRODUCTION precursors.7 Anthocyanins are also found in raspberries, which Te idea that one should be eating healthy to stay healthy is not are high in dietary fber and vitamin C and have a low glycemic a debate. Numerous studies show how particular foods indi- index because they contain 6% fber and only 4% sugar per total vidualistically efect human health, but none thus far, to our weight.8 Higher quantities of fber in the fruit, when consumed, knowledge, have investigated about the combined impact of a helps lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the specifc diet on the human body as a whole.1-5 It is critical for us ‘unhealthy’ cholesterol to enhance the functionality of our heart to understand which kinds of things we should eat and the ways and potentially induce weight loss.
    [Show full text]
  • Broccoli Or Sulforaphane: Is It the Source Or Dose That Matters?
    molecules Review Broccoli or Sulforaphane: Is It the Source or Dose That Matters? Yoko Yagishita 1, Jed W. Fahey 2,3,4, Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova 3,4,5 and Thomas W. Kensler 1,4,* 1 Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; [email protected] 2 Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; [email protected] 3 Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA 4 Cullman Chemoprotection Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA 5 Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland DD1 9SY, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-206-667-6005 Academic Editor: Gary D. Stoner Received: 24 September 2019; Accepted: 2 October 2019; Published: 6 October 2019 Abstract: There is robust epidemiological evidence for the beneficial effects of broccoli consumption on health, many of them clearly mediated by the isothiocyanate sulforaphane. Present in the plant as its precursor, glucoraphanin, sulforaphane is formed through the actions of myrosinase, a β-thioglucosidase present in either the plant tissue or the mammalian microbiome. Since first isolated from broccoli and demonstrated to have cancer chemoprotective properties in rats in the early 1990s, over 3000 publications have described its efficacy in rodent disease models, underlying mechanisms of action or, to date, over 50 clinical trials examining pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and disease mitigation. This review evaluates the current state of knowledge regarding the relationships between formulation (e.g., plants, sprouts, beverages, supplements), bioavailability and efficacy, and the doses of glucoraphanin and/or sulforaphane that have been used in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
    [Show full text]
  • A Natural Antimicrobial Ingredient
    Mustard: A Natural Antimicrobial Ingredient Did you know? Mustard has natural antimicrobial properties, the bioactive compounds ‐ glucosinolates in mustard, are converted to the antimicrobial isothiocyanates in the presence of water Natural preservative functionality of mustard can be very valuable to the food industry Mustard isothiocyanates can effect up to a 5‐log reduction of E. coli 0157:H7 in fermented meats Mustard Essential Oils (MEO) can be added to bakery products to inhibit fungal growth and production of aflatoxins Glucosinolates from deheated / deodorized (bland) mustard can be converted into highly antimicrobial isothiocyanate by bacterial myrosinase‐like enzyme action present in E. coli, 0157:H7, Staphylococcus carnosus and Pediococcus pentosaceus11,12,13 and in L. monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium Mustard’s inherent antimicrobial properties should fit well with the food industry’s growing interest and increasing consumer demand for the use of a natural preservative to enhance food safety and increase shelf‐life of prepared packaged foods with a “clean label” claim. Mustards in Foods Mustards (Yellow and Brown) are commercially available as whole seeds, ground/cracked seeds, meals or flour forms and are widely used in the manufacture of condiments, salad dressings, pickles, sauces, processed meats and as substitutes for egg ingredients. While mainly used as a spice or for its functional properties, mustard can also provide raw and processed foods protection against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Antimicrobial Bioactives in Mustard All mustards, Yellow (& White) (Sinapis alba) and Brown/Oriental (Brassica juncea), contain glucosinolates. It is these glucosinolates and their isothiocyanate (ITC) breakdown products which contribute to its natural antimicrobial activity and to the heat and pungency of mustard.
    [Show full text]
  • THE Glucosinolates & Cyanogenic Glycosides
    THE Glucosinolates & Cyanogenic Glycosides Assimilatory Sulphate Reduction - Animals depend on organo-sulphur - In contrast, plants and other organisms (e.g. fungi, bacteria) can assimilate it - Sulphate is assimilated from the environment, reduced inside the cell, and fixed to sulphur containing amino acids and other organic compounds Assimilatory Sulphate Reduction The Glucosinolates The Glucosinolates - Found in the Capparales order and are the main secondary metabolites in cruciferous crops The Glucosinolates - The glucosinolates are a class of organic compounds (water soluble anions) that contain sulfur, nitrogen and a group derived from glucose - Every glucosinolate contains a central carbon atom which is bond via a sulfur atom to the glycone group, and via a nitrogen atom to a sulfonated oxime group. In addition, the central carbon is bond to a side group; different glucosinolates have different side groups The Glucosinolates Central carbon atom The Glucosinolates - About 120 different glucosinolates are known to occur naturally in plants. - They are synthesized from certain amino acids: methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan. - The plants contain the enzyme myrosinase which, in the presence of water, cleaves off the glucose group from a glucosinolate The Glucosinolates -Post myrosinase activity the remaining molecule then quickly converts to a thiocyanate, an isothiocyanate or a nitrile; these are the active substances that serve as defense for the plant - To prevent damage to the plant itself, the myrosinase and glucosinolates
    [Show full text]
  • PYK10 Myrosinase Reveals a Functional Coordination Between Endoplasmic Reticulum Bodies and Glucosinolates in Arabidopsis Thaliana
    The Plant Journal (2017) 89, 204–220 doi: 10.1111/tpj.13377 PYK10 myrosinase reveals a functional coordination between endoplasmic reticulum bodies and glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana Ryohei T. Nakano1,2,3, Mariola Pislewska-Bednarek 4, Kenji Yamada5,†, Patrick P. Edger6,‡, Mado Miyahara3,§, Maki Kondo5, Christoph Bottcher€ 7,¶, Masashi Mori8, Mikio Nishimura5, Paul Schulze-Lefert1,2,*, Ikuko Hara-Nishimura3,*,#,k and Paweł Bednarek4,*,# 1Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, D-50829 Koln,€ Germany, 2Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, D-50829 Koln,€ Germany, 3Department of Botany, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan, 4Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland, 5Department of Cell Biology, National Institute of Basic Biology, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan, 6Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA, 7Department of Stress and Developmental Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany, and 8Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 834-1213, Japan Received 29 March 2016; revised 30 August 2016; accepted 5 September 2016; published online 19 December 2016. *For correspondence (e-mails [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]). #These authors contributed equally to this work. †Present address: Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland. ‡Present address: Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. §Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
    [Show full text]
  • How Glucosinolates Affect Generalist Lepidopteran Larvae: Growth, Development and Glucosinolate Metabolism
    How glucosinolates affect generalist lepidopteran larvae growth, development and glucosinolate metabolism Jeschke, Verena; Kearney, Emily E.; Schramm, Katharina; Kunert, Grit; Shekhov, Anton; Gershenzon, Jonathan; Vassao, Daniel G. Published in: Frontiers in Plant Science DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01995 Publication date: 2017 Document version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Citation for published version (APA): Jeschke, V., Kearney, E. E., Schramm, K., Kunert, G., Shekhov, A., Gershenzon, J., & Vassao, D. G. (2017). How glucosinolates affect generalist lepidopteran larvae: growth, development and glucosinolate metabolism. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, [1995]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01995 Download date: 27. sep.. 2021 fpls-08-01995 November 18, 2017 Time: 15:47 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 21 November 2017 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01995 How Glucosinolates Affect Generalist Lepidopteran Larvae: Growth, Edited by: Development and Glucosinolate Stanislav Kopriva, University of Cologne, Germany Metabolism Reviewed by: † † † Brian Traw, Verena Jeschke , Emily E. Kearney , Katharina Schramm , Grit Kunert, Anton Shekhov, University of Pittsburgh, United States Jonathan Gershenzon and Daniel G. Vassão* Tamara Gigolashvili, Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany University of Cologne, Germany *Correspondence: Daniel G. Vassão Multiple lepidopteran larvae feed successfully on plants containing glucosinolates [email protected] despite the diverse array of toxic and deterrent breakdown products, such as † Present address: isothiocyanates (ITCs), formed upon plant damage. While much is known about how Verena Jeschke, DynaMo Center of Excellence, specialist lepidopterans metabolize and tolerate glucosinolates, there is little information Department of Plant about the metabolic fate of these plant defense compounds in specialized herbivores.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Fate and Bioavailability of Glucosinolates in Kale
    Article Cite This: J. Agric. Food Chem. 2019, 67, 9492−9500 pubs.acs.org/JAFC Assessing the Fate and Bioavailability of Glucosinolates in Kale (Brassica oleracea) Using Simulated Human Digestion and Caco‑2 Cell Uptake Models † ‡ ∥ § ∥ Eun-Sun Hwang, Gail M. Bornhorst, , Patricia I. Oteiza, and Alyson E. Mitchell*, † Department of Nutrition and Culinary Science, Hankyong National University, 327 Chungang-Ro, Anseong-Si, Kyonggi-do 17579, Korea ‡ Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States § Department of Nutrition and Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States ∥ Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States ABSTRACT: Glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products were characterized in fresh and in in vitro gastric and intestinal digesta of Dinosaur kale (Brassica oleracea L var. palmifolia DC). In fresh kale, glucoraphanin, sinigrin, gluconapin, gluconasturtiin, glucoerucin, glucobrasscin, and 4-methoxylglucobrassicin were identified. After 120 min of gastric digestion, the levels of glucoraphanin, sinigrin, and gluconapin decreased, and no glucoerucin or glucobrasscin was detected. However, a concomitant increase in the glucosinolate hydrolysis products allyl nitrile, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, phenylacetonitrile, and sulforaphane was observed. This trend continued through intestinal digestion. After 120 min, the levels of allyl nitrile, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, phenylacetonitrile, and sulforaphane were 88.19 ± 5.85, 222.15 ± 30.26, 129.17 ± 17.57, and 13.71 ± 0.62 pmol/g fresh weight, respectively. Intestinal digesta were then applied to Caco-2 cell monolayers to assess the bioavailability.
    [Show full text]
  • Polyphenols, Glucosinolates, Dietary Fibre and Colon Cancer
    Nutrition and Aging 2 (2013/2014) 45–67 45 DOI 10.3233/NUA-130029 IOS Press Polyphenols, glucosinolates, dietary fibre and colon cancer: Understanding the potential of specific types of fruit and vegetables to reduce bowel cancer progression Noura Eid, Gemma Walton, Adele Costabile, Gunter G.C. Kuhnle and Jeremy P.E. Spencer∗ School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK Abstract. Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide and the most common diet-related cancer, influenced by diets rich in red meat, low in plant foods and high in saturated fats. Observational studies have shown that fruit and vegetable intake may reduce colorectal cancer risks, although the precise bioactive components remain unclear. This review will outline the evidence for the role of polyphenols, glucosinolates and fibres against cancer progression in the gastrointestinal tract. Those bioactive compounds are considered protective agents against colon cancer, with evidence taken from epidemiological, human clinical, animal and in vitro studies. Various mechanisms of action have been postulated, such as the potential of polyphenols and glucosinolates to inhibit cancer cell growth and the actions of insoluble fibres as prebiotics and the evidence for these actions are detailed within. In addition, recent evidence suggests that polyphenols also have the potential to shift the gut ecology in a beneficial manner. Such actions of both fibre and polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract and through interaction with gut epithelial cells may act in an additive manner to help explain why certain fruits and vegetables, but not all, act to differing extents to inhibit cancer incidence and progression.
    [Show full text]
  • Glucosinolates As Undesirable Substances in Animal Feed1
    The EFSA Journal (2008) 590, 1-76 Glucosinolates as undesirable substances in animal feed1 Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (Question N° EFSA-Q-2003-061) Adopted on 27 November 2007 PANEL MEMBERS Jan Alexander, Guðjón Atli Auðunsson, Diane Benford, Andrew Cockburn, Jean-Pierre Cravedi, Eugenia Dogliotti, Alessandro Di Domenico, Maria Luisa Férnandez-Cruz, Peter Fürst, Johanna Fink-Gremmels, Corrado Lodovico Galli, Philippe Grandjean, Jadwiga Gzyl, Gerhard Heinemeyer, Niklas Johansson, Antonio Mutti, Josef Schlatter, Rolaf van Leeuwen, Carlos Van Peteghem and Philippe Verger. SUMMARY Glucosinolates (alkyl aldoxime-O-sulphate esters with a β-D-thioglucopyranoside group) occur in important oil- and protein-rich agricultural crops, including among others Brassica napus (rapeseed of Canola), B. campestris (turnip rape) and Sinapis alba (white mustard), all belonging to the plant family of Brassicaceae. They are present in all parts of these plants, with the highest concentrations often found in seeds. Several of these Brassica species are important feed ingredients and some species are also commonly used in human nutrition such as cauliflower, cabbages, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Glucosinolates and their breakdown products determine the typical flavour and (bitter) taste of these vegetables. 1For citation purposes: Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a request from the European Commission on glucosinolates as undesirable substances in animal feed, The EFSA Journal (2008) 590, 1- 76 © European Food Safety Authority, 2008 Glucosinolates as undesirable substances in animal feed The individual glucosinolates vary in structure and the configuration of their side chain. They are hydrophilic and rather stable and remain in the press cake of oilseeds when these are processed and de-oiled.
    [Show full text]